Gallery: 10 Most popular 2012 CRED stories

Former Bulls superstar Michael Jordan put his Highland Park mansion up for sale in February, seeking $29 million for the 56,000-square-foot property, which includes nine bedrooms, 15 bathrooms and an indoor basketball court.

PHOTO CREDIT: VHT Inc.

The full extent of the downtown condominium market's swoon was demonstrated by a Crain's analysis published in October. At least four in 10 downtown condo projects proposed or under way five years ago ended up facing financial distress.

PHOTO CREDIT: Erik Unger

The Clybourn Corridor was one of Chicago's hottest retail markets last year, with national tenants like Nordstrom Rack, Dick's Sporting Goods and Williams-Sonoma laying plans for new stores in the area. Chicago developer Structured Development LLC, meanwhile, is developing a 360,000-square-foot retail and apartment project at the former New City YMCA site at Clybourn Avenue and Halsted Street.

PHOTO CREDIT: Erik Unger

Derrick Rose, the Bulls' MVP point guard, found a new home in March, paying $2.8 million for a three-bedroom condominium unit near the very top of the 92-story Trump Tower building.

PHOTO CREDIT: Erik Unger

A venture that includes Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz confirmed in April its plans for a 260,000-square-foot entertainment complex on the east side of the United Center. The project could cost up to $85 million.

The news in June that Google Inc. was in advanced talks with the owners of the Merchandise Mart garnered high reader interest. The Mountain View, Calif.-based technology company later confirmed they'd move about 2,200 of its Motorola Mobility employees to the building.

PHOTO CREDIT: Erik Unger

Oakbrook Terrace-based real estate developer Daniel Dvorkin was arrested by federal officials in July for allegedly trying to hire a hit man to kill an associate who had won an $8.2 million judgment against him. Mr. Dvorkin's holding company, which owns properties like the Palos Heights medical building shown above, later declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

PHOTO CREDIT: CoStar Group Inc.

A venture of Chicago-based South Street Capital bought a 115,000-square-foot vintage office building at 900-920 N. Franklin St. in late May. Five days before the sale, South Street co-founder Matt Garrison was hit by a van while biking to work and nearly killed.

PHOTO CREDIT: CoStar Group Inc.

Single-family home buyers in wealthy Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs were surprised in 2012 as competition for properties ramped up, leading to bidding wars.

PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen J. Serio

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews paid $2.05 million for a three-bedroom condominium on the 39th floor of the Regatta tower, 420 E. Waterside Dr. The unit includes a 1,000-square-foot roof deck equipped with a hot tub.

A half-dozen apartments on the 31st floor of the Michigan Avenue tower have been fully renovated for the first time in more than 40 years. They’re available for rents ranging from $18,000 to $34,000 a month, depending on the size and season. Take a photo tour.
Read More